Spiral separator and breaker



Dec. 13, 1955 D. J. WINTERS SPIRAL SEPARATOR AND BREAKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1952 INVENTOR. DANIEL J. WINTERS l RN n 2 mm LR 3 mm I 8 H wm a (mm mmin ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 1955 i D. J. WINTERS 2,726,814

SPIRAL SEPARATOR AND BREAKER Filed July 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

Fig. 3

INVENTOR. DANIEL J. WINTERS ATTORNEY 1955 D. J. WINTERS 2,726,814

SPIRAL SEPARATOR AND BREAKER Filed July 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. DANIEL J. WINTERS ATTORNEY United States Patent SPIRAL SEPARATOR AND BREAKER Daniel J. Winters, Denver, Colo.

Application July 12, 1952, Serial No. 298,545

6 Claims. (Cl. 241-46) This invention relates to the separation according to relative densities of intermixed, discrete materials of different densities, and has as an object to provide novel and improved means efliciently operable to effect many such separations.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for the separation according to relative densities of intermixed, discrete materials of different densities in reaction to pressure flow of the intermixed material as a water pulp therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for the concentration of relatively denser constituents from water pulps of natural sands and comminuted ores in direct reaction to pressure flow of such pulps therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separator and classifier for intermixed, discrete materials of diiferent densities operable to disrupt and disintegrate lumps and agglomerations of the mixed material entrained in a pressure flow of the material as a Water pulp therethrough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separator and classifier for intermixed, discrete materials of difierent densities characterized by separate, concentric, discharge passage for the segregations therein effected and furnished with means for maintaining the lesser of said passages free from clogging and obstruction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separator and classifier for intermixed, discrete materials of difierent densities that is simple and inexpensive of construction and operative installation, convenient of transportation to and use with a minimum of adjunctive apparatus in regions diflicult of access, capable of high volume output in relation to power input, and efficient in attainment of the ends for which designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of typical apparatus operable to give etfect to the principles of the invention, portions of the showing being broken away to conserve space.

Figure 2 is a cross section, on a relatively enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section, on the same scale as Figure 2, taken substantially on the indicated line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section axially of the assembly shown centrally of Figure 1 taken substantially on the indicated line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross section taken substantially on the indicated line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail elevation, partially in section and "Ice on a relatively reduced scale, of an element of the apparatus fragmentarily shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, detail cross section, on a relatively enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 8-8 of Figure 7 to illustrate a modification of the latter showing within the contemplation of the invention.

In many operations associated with the recovery and treatment of natural materials it is expedient to classify and separate intermixed material constituents or com ponents of different densities for the recovery of one or the other of the so-separated fractions or for the conditioning of one or both said fractions for subsequent use, and the instant invention is hence directed to the provision of novel and improved means operable with convenience, economy, and efficiency to so classify and separate such intermixtures when in granular or comminuted form and combined with water as a pulp suitable to be pumped.

A significant feature of my improvement is a separator or classifying barrel B accommodative of pulp flow therethrough and effective to separate and segregate the pulp components of distinctly different densities as an incident of such flow. In a variety of particular sizes, proportions, and specific structural organizations adapted to the variations and requirements of function and installation to which applicable, the barrel B is constituted as a straight, rigid, cylindrical tube 10 having a length several times its bore diameter and end flanges 11 and 12, or the equivalent, whereby it may be connected in and with other elements of the apparatus in a usual manner. Conditioning the tube 10 to accomplish its pulp separating and classifying functions, the otherwise smooth interior wall of the tube bore is interrupted by a circumferential series, in this instance three, of like, similarly-spiraled vanes or flutes 13 fixed in a uniform angular spacing to said bore wail to traverse the full length of the tube and to intrude radially of the tube bore. The number, spiral pitch, and radiallyinward projection of the vanes 13 associated with a given tube 10 may be varied at the time of barrel production to meet the various conditions of particular barrel installation and use, but, in general, the vanes of each such barrel will be few in number, pitched to complete at least one full revolution interiorly of the associated tube within the limits of the tube length, and of a width, or radially-inward projection relative to the tube, not exceeding one-half the tube bore radius, thus to leave unobstructed a flow passage of relatively considerable size centrally and longitudinally of the barrel. When a pulp containing materials of different densities is pumped, or otherwise pressure-fed, through the barrel B furnished with the interior vanes 13 as shown and described, said vanes develop in the pulp flow a rotary component generative of a centrifugal force factor which acts to segregate the pulp materials of greater density in the flow stream radially outward from and about the pulp materials of lesser density and hence as a cylindrical flow stream layer adjacent and moving spirally along the bore wall of the tube 10; the rotary component and centrifugal force factor so induced, and the density classification of pulp materials resulting therefrom, being functions of the vane spiral pitch and the velocity of pulp flow, as is well understood in the art of centrifugal separation. When the material to be separated is characterized by lumps or is of a nature requiring agitation to eflect the desired separation, the tube 10 may be readily adapted to function as an agitator and lump breaker, as well as a separator, through the addition thereto of pins 14 intruded radially of the tube bore in any appropriate number, spacing, and pattern; it being convenient and expedient to constitute such pins as the inner ends of studs 14' threadedly engaged through and radially of the tube wall for removal, replacement,

3 t and adjustment of their projection inwardly of the tube, as represented in Figure 8. V

The intake end of the barrel B is connected by means of its flange 11; with .and to constitute a coaxial extension of the delivery end ofaflow line 15 wherethrough the material to beclassified' and separated is supplied as a free-flowing pulp, as through a pump or from an elevated reservoir, under pressure productive of adequate velocity of pulp flowthrough and in filling relation with the barrel. As the pulp travels through the barrel B in; reaction to the vanes 13, the centrifugal force factor introduced by the latter acts as above pointed out to cortcentrate the greater density components of the pulp out- 7 wardly from and about the lesser density component flow moving centrally of the barrel, so that the so-conditioned pulp flow is presented at the output end of the: barrel B as an annular layer or zone of greater density material adjacent the tube bore wall surrounding a core of lesser density material in an arrangement facilitating separation of the so-classified material fractions.

Separation of the material fractions of different com.-

ponent density developed as a consequence of pulp flow through the barrel B is expediently accomplished as an incident of pulp how at the output end of said barrel by means of a; cylindrical selector tube 16 coaxially registered at one end with and to intersect the plane of the barrel output end in a maximum, or exterior, diameter sufficiently less than that of the tube 10 bore as to leave an annular passage between the periphery of the tube 16 of the barrel B is preferably interiorly chamfered, or

beveled, as at17. Manifestly, the. diametric proportion of the tube 16 intake end tothe tube 10 bore determines t the effective area of the passage therebetween and consequently the proportion of the pulp material flow diverted.

therethrough, hence adaptation of the apparatus to efiect variously-proportioned fractional separations of the pulp flow is readily had through operative association of a selector tube 16' of appropriate size with and to divide the outflow from the delivery end of the barrel B. Facilitative of the proper coaxial, operative registration of the selector tube 16 end with the output end of the barrel B, notches 18 engageable by tube 16 ends of difierent sizes may be formed in the ends of the vanes 13 to define circles of appropriate size concentric with the tube 10.

Various practical arrangements within the conten1- plation of the invention may be devised to mount the tube 16 in proper cooperating relation with the barrel B and to collect and direct the pulp flow fraction diverted by and exteriorly of the selector tube, the mounting for said tube illustrated and hereinafter described being of especial advantage in that it conveniently mounts and accommodates operation of. appurtenant features frequently important to successful functioning of the primary apparatus. As shown, a generally tubular housing 19 is formed to an interior diameter considerably exceeding that of the tube It bore andto a length exceeding its diameter and is secured by means of a flange 20 at an open end thereof to the flange 12 at the end of the barrel B to extend in coaxial relation with and beyond said barrel. At its end remote from the barrel B, the housing 19 is formed with an internally-threaded, annular hub 21 defining an aperture coaxial with the housing and barrel in a sizeto slidably accommodate the selector tube 16 and an annular shoulder 22 exteriorly and cir- Vcumferentially thereof, so that a. threaded collar 23 on gagement with the opening of the hub 21 to clamp said tube endwise against the opposed ends of the vanes 13 and to support said tube irr appropriate cooperating relation with the barrel B. In its lower portion and between its ends the housing 19 is enlarged to provide a V basin 24 opening to one side of the assembly, which 7 basin serves in an obvious manner to collect the pulp material fraction diverted from the flow stream of the barrel B by and exterioriy of the selector tube 16 and to direct such diverted material fraction through its side opening to such disposition or further processing as may be desired. The material fraction received within the selector tube 16 retains much of its original flow velocity whereunder it may be directed through conduit extensions 25 of the selector tube to waste, storage, or further processing.

In certain operations, and particularly when the separation sought requires a small diversion passage at and exteriorly about the intake'end of the selector tube 16, there may be'a tendency of the diversion passage to become plugged or obstructed with. undesirable effect upon the separatory functioning of the apparatus, henc ing illustrated as carried by and'operatively associated with the housing 19. g

7 As shown, tubular guides 26 fixed in and opening through the closed end of the housing 19 in angularlyspaced relation about the hub- 21 slidably accommodate 'stems 27 therein supported for axial reciprocation in spaced parallelism with and exteriorly of the selector tube 16. Corresponding ends of the stems 27 exterior to the housing 19 are formed as radially-enlarged, domed heads 28 and at its other end, interiorly of the housing 19, each of said stems carries an arcuate spider 29 adapted to conformably overlie and slidably embrace an exterior circumferential arc of the tube 16. Surrounding the portion of each stem 27 exposed interiorly of the housing 19 and in end-bearing engagement between the associated spider 29 and adjacent end of the guide 26, an expansive coil spring 30 functions to yieldably urge the stem and spider assembly inwardly of the housing and toward the 7 output end of the barrel B, and about the-portion of each stem 27 exposed exteriorly of said housing and in end-bearing engagement between the stem head 28 and adjacent end of the guide 26 an expansive coil spring 31 functions to yieldably urge the stem and spider assembly outwardly of the housing and away from the output end of said barrel, the said springs 30 and 31 of each stem 27 thus serving in an appropriate balance of their expansive forces to normally and yieldably position the stems with their domed heads 28 in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube 16 and with their spiders 29 in a uniform spacing away from the output end of the barrel B. Each spider 29 mounts a plurality of spacedly-parallel tines 32 closely adjacent and parallel to the exterior wall of the tube 16 in such extension from the spider as serves to dispose the preferably tapered and laterally expanded free ends of the tines in outwardly adjacent registration with the diversion passage about the adjacent end of the tube 16 and hence in position for reciprocation through the corresponding arc of said passage when the associated stem 27 is displaced axially and inwardly of its guide 26 against the pressure of its spring 31. Successive and repetitious actuation of the stems 27 for reciprocation of the tine 32 free ends through and to clear the diversion passage of the apparatus is the function of a pulley 33 rotatable on a shouldered bearing sleeve 34 telescoped over and secured to the closed end of the housing 19, said pulley being retained in operative position, axially of said sleeve by means of a ring 35 and being engaged for continuous rotation, as. by a belt 36, with any appropriate power source. Rotation of the pulley 33 is reflected as successive, individual actuation of the stems 27 through the agency of an arm 37 fixed to and extending in spaced parallelism with the pulley axis of rotation from one side of said pulley for travel in an orbit exteriorly about the headed end portions of said stems, which arm carries at its end remote from the pulley a fixedly and perpendicularly related finger 38 directed radially of and inwardly toward the tube 16 to travel in the general plane of the normaly-positioned stem heads 28 for engagement of a cam block 39 inwardly terminating said finger successively with the domed areas of said heads in a manner to shift the stems 27 inwardly of the housing 19 against the pressure of their springs 31. Thus, as the pulley 33 is rotated in the appropriate direction, the cam block 39 acts successively upon and through the stems 27 to project the tines 32 shiftable with said stems inwardly of the barrel B through the diversion passage at the output end of said barrel, thus efiectively maintaining said passage clear of obstructions and impactions.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an elongated tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, like vanes spaced angularly about and correspondingly spiraled in fixed relation along the barrel interior wall to project radially and inwardly therefrom, a selector tube of less diameter than said barrel coaxially end-registered with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage between the interior wall of the barrel at its delivery end and the spacedly adjacent exterior wall of the selector tube, and means actuatable exteriorly and longitudinally of said selector tube through said passage to clear the latter of obstructions.

2. In combination, an elongated tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, like vanes spaced angularly about and correspondingly spiraled in fixed relation along the barrel interior wall to project radially and inwardly therefrom, pins fixed in spaced relation to and intruding radially from the barrel interior wall between convolutions of said vanes, a selector tube of less diameter than said barrel coaxially end-registered with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage between the interior wall of the barrel at its delivery end and the spacedly adjacent exterior wall of the selector tube, and means actuatable exteriorly and longitudinally of said selector tube through said passage to clear the latter of obstructions.

3. In combination, an elongated tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, like vanes spaced angularly about and correspondingly spiraled in fixed relation along the barrel interior wall to project radially and inwardly therefrom, a housing including a collecting basin carried by and disposed to receive the flow from the delivery end of said barrel, a selector tube of less diameter than said barrel mounted in and adjustably traversing said housing in coaxial end-registration with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage opening to said collecting basin between the interior wall of the barrel at its delivery end and the spacedly adjacent exterior wall of the selector tube, and means actuatable exteriorly and longitudinally of said selector tube through said passage to clear the latter of obstructions.

4. In combination, an elongated tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, like vanes spaced angularly about and correspondingly spiraled in fixed relation along the barrel interior wall to project radially and inwardly therefrom, pins fixed in spaced relation to and intruding radially from the barrel interior wall between adjacent convolutions of said vanes, a housing including a collecting basin carried by and disposed to receive the flow from the delivery end of said barrel, a selector tube of less diameter than said barrel mounted in and adjustably traversing said housing in coaxial end-registration with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage opening to said collecting basin between the interior wall of the barrel at its delivery end and the spacedly adjacent exterior wall of the selector tube, and means actuatable exteriorly and longitudinally of said selector tube through said passage to clear the latter of obstructions.

5. in apparatus of the character described having an elongated, cylindrical tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, a housing including a collecting basin carried by and disposed to receive the flow from said barrel, and a cylindrical selector tube of less diameter than said barrel coaxially end-registered through said housing with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage opening to the collecting basin about the barrel-engaging end of said tube, means actuatable to clear said passage of obstructions, said means comprising spaced tines exteriorly adjacent and shiftable longitudinally of said selector tube in parallel with the tube axis, spring means yieldably positioning said tines with their free ends adjacent and spaced outwardly from said diversion passage, and means on said housing revoluble to successiveiy and repetitiously reciprocate said tines in penetrative relation with said passage.

6. In apparatus of the character described having an elongated, cylindrical tubular barrel adapted to transmit a flow of pulp, a housing including a collecting basin carried by and disposed to receive the flow from said barrel, and a cylindrical selector tube of less diameter than said barrel coaxially end-registered through said housing with the delivery end of the barrel to define an annular diversion passage opening to the collecting basin about the barrel-engaging end of said tube, means actuatable to clear said passage of obstructions, said means comprising stems shiftably mounted in said housing exteriorly about and to parallel the axis of said tube, domed heads on ends of said stems exterior to said housing, spaced tines carried by inner ends of said stems exteriorly adjacent and to parallel the axis of said tube with the tine free ends directed toward said passage, spring means yieldably positioning said stems to dispose the free ends of the associated tines outwardly adjacent said passage, a pulley on and power-revoluble about said housing, and a cam arm carried by said pulley for successively-repetitious engagement with the domed heads of said stems, whereby to refiect rotation of said pulley and arm as shift of said stems effective to reciprocate the free ends of said tines in penetrative relation with said passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 216,958 Hudson July 1, 1879 429,347 Haskell June 3, 1890 1,701,942 Andrews Feb. 12, 1929 2,027,015 Bell Jan. 7, 1936 2,346,005 Bryson Apr. 4, 1944 2,407,851 Shannon Sept. 17, 1946 2,512,253 Lipscomb June 20, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 52,537 Denmark Jan. 4, 1937 

